System for treating the fundus of an eye

Abstract

The system of the present invention allows the interior of the eye to be viewed and simultaneously treated with a laser without the use of an optic in contact with the eye. The system scans illumination light into the eye so that the interior of the eye can be observed and includes an integral treatment laser that can be directed to a desired position in the interior of the eye including the fundus. Light reflected from the patient's eye and received by the system may be observed directly by the physician via an eyepiece lens. In a preferred embodiment, however, the reflected light is applied to an image detector that is coupled to a display for displaying an image of the interior of the patient's eye. Because the physician can view the interior of the eye via the display during treatment, unwanted reflections of the treatment laser to the physician's eye via the viewing system are prevented.

I claim: 
     
       1. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye including the fundus comprising: a source of illumination light;   a scanning system for scanning a two dimensional area of illumination with said illumination light;   a source of laser light for treatment;   an optical system for directing the scanned illumination light onto the fundus of the eye and for receiving light reflected from the patient's eye for observation; and   a steering system for directing the treatment light to various positions in the illuminated interior of the eye.   
     
     
       2. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 1 wherein the source of illumination light generates coherent light. 
     
     
       3. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 1 wherein the source of illumination light generates noncoherent light. 
     
     
       4. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 1 including a device responsive to the light reflected from the patient's eye to detect an image of the interior of the eye and a display for displaying the detected image so that the image can be viewed during treatment. 
     
     
       5. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 1 further including at least one eyepiece lens for receiving reflected light from the optical system and through which a clinician looks to directly view an image of the illuminated area of the patient's eye. 
     
     
       6. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 5 including a shutter operable to block reflections from said treatment laser to said eyepiece lens. 
     
     
       7. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 1 wherein said steering system includes an optic movable to change the position of the treatment light within a focal plane of the laser. 
     
     
       8. A system for viewing and treating the fundus of the eye as recited in claim 1 wherein said steering system includes an optic movable to change the position of a focal plane of the treatment light. 
     
     
       9. A system for viewing and treating the fundus of the eye as recited in claim 1 including an optic movable to change the size of a spot of the treatment light. 
     
     
       10. A system for viewing and treating the fundus of the eye as recited in claim 1 wherein said optical system includes image capturing optics to allow observation of a plane in the interior of the eye, said image capturing optics including a movable lens for varying the plane of the eye observed. 
     
     
       11. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye including the fundus comprising: a source of illumination light;   a scanning system for scanning a two dimensional area of illumination with said illumination light;   a source of laser light for treatment;   an optical system for directing the scanned illumination light onto the fundus of the eye and for receiving light reflected from the patient's eye;   a first optic for receiving from said optical system light reflected from the patient's eye, the first optic being movable so as to bring into focus different parts of the user's eye at various depths therein for observation;   a second optic movable to change a focal plane of the treatment light for focusing the treatment light at various depths within the eye; and   a third optic movable to vary the position of the treatment light within the focal plane of the treatment light.   
     
     
       12. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 11 wherein said third optic is a movable reflector that reflects the treatment light and passes there through illumination light. 
     
     
       13. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 11 including a beam splitter disposed in the path of the illumination light between the scanning system and the eye and disposed in the path of the reflected light between the eye and the first optic to separate a portion of the paths. 
     
     
       14. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 13 wherein said third optic is disposed between the scanning system and the beam splitter. 
     
     
       15. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 13 wherein said third optic is disposed between the beam splitter and the user's eye. 
     
     
       16. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 11 including an optic movable to change the size of a spot of the treatment light. 
     
     
       17. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 11 wherein the source of illumination light generates coherent light. 
     
     
       18. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 11 wherein the source of illumination light generates noncoherent light. 
     
     
       19. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 11 including a device responsive to the light reflected from the patient's eye to detect an image of the interior of the eye and a display for displaying the detected image so that the image can be viewed during treatment. 
     
     
       20. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 11 wherein the optical system includes an eyepiece lens through which a clinician looks to directly view an image of the illuminated area of the patient's eye. 
     
     
       21. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 21 including a shutter operable to block reflections from said treatment laser to said eyepiece lens. 
     
     
       22. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye including the fundus comprising: a source of illumination light;   a scanning system for scanning a two dimensional area of illumination with said illumination light;   a source of laser light for treatment;   an optical system for directing the scanned illumination light onto the fundus of the eye and for receiving light reflected from the patient's eye;   a field lens receiving, from said optical system, light reflected from the patient's eye, said field lens being movable so as to bring into focus different parts of the user's eye at various depths therein; and   a treatment light positioning optic disposed in the path between the source of treatment light and the eye and movable to vary the position of the treatment light within the eye's interior.   
     
     
       23. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 22 wherein said treatment light positioning optic is a movable reflector that reflects the treatment light and passes therethrough illumination light. 
     
     
       24. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 22 including a movable optic to vary a focal plane of the treatment light. 
     
     
       25. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 22 including a size control optic disposed in the path between the source of treatment light and the eye and moveable to change the size of a spot of the treatment light on the fundus. 
     
     
       26. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 22 wherein the source of illumination light generates coherent light. 
     
     
       27. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 22 wherein the source of illumination light generates noncoherent light. 
     
     
       28. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 22 including a device responsive to the light reflected from the patient's eye to detect an image of the interior of the eye and a display for displaying the detected image so that the image can be viewed during treatment. 
     
     
       29. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 22 wherein the optical system includes an eyepiece lens through which a clinician looks to directly view an image of the illuminated area of the patient's eye. 
     
     
       30. A system for viewing and treating the fundus of the eye as recited in claim 29 including a shutter operable to block reflections from said treatment laser to said eyepiece lens. 
     
     
       31. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 22 wherein said treatment light includes an aiming light beam and a treatment light beam wherein the aiming light beam is useable to locate the position at which the treatment light beam is to be actuated. 
     
     
       32. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye including the fundus comprising: a source of illumination light;   a scanning system for scanning a two dimensional area of illumination with said illumination light;   a source of laser light for treatment;   an optical system for directing the scanned illumination light onto the fundus of the eye and for receiving light reflected from the patient's eye; and   a treatment light positioning optic disposed in the path between the source of treatment light and the eye and movable to vary the position of the treatment light within the interior of the eye.   
     
     
       33. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 32 wherein said treatment light positioning optic is movable to vary the position of a focal plane of the treatment light. 
     
     
       34. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 32 wherein said treatment light positioning optic is movable to vary the position of the treatment light within a focal plane of the treatment light. 
     
     
       35. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 32 including an optic movable to change the size of a spot of the treatment light. 
     
     
       36. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye including the fundus comprising: a source of illumination light;   a scanning system for scanning a two dimensional area of illumination with said illumination light;   a source of laser light for treatment;   an optical system for directing the scanned illumination light onto the fundus of the eye and for receiving light reflected from the patient's eye;   at least one movable positioning optic for directing the treatment light to various positions in the interior of the eye; and   a size control optic for varying the size of a spot of the treatment light on the fundus.   
     
     
       37. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 36 wherein said positioning optic is movable to change the focal plane of the treatment light. 
     
     
       38. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 36 wherein said positioning optic is movable to change the position of the treatment light within a given plane. 
     
     
       39. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 36 wherein the source of illumination light generates coherent light. 
     
     
       40. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 36 wherein the source of illumination light generates noncoherent light. 
     
     
       41. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 36 including a device responsive to the light reflected from the patient's eye to detect an image of the interior of the eye and a display for displaying the detected image so that the image can be viewed during treatment. 
     
     
       42. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 36 further including at least one eyepiece lens for receiving reflected light from the optical system and through which a clinician looks to directly view an image of the illuminated area of the patient's eye. 
     
     
       43. A system for viewing and treating the fundus of the eye comprising: a source of illumination light;   a scanning system for scanning a two dimensional area of illumination with said illumination light;   a source of laser light for treatment;   an optical system for directing the scanned illumination light onto the fundus of the eye and for receiving light reflected from the patient's eye; and   a treatment light directing system disposed in the path between the source of treatment light and the eye and including at least one movable optic to vary the position of the treatment light in the interior of the eye.   
     
     
       44. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye including the fundus comprising: a scanning system for scanning a two dimensional area of illumination directed to the patient's eye to illuminate the interior thereof;   a treatment laser system for directing a treatment laser to a desired position within the interior of the eye; and   an image capturing system for receiving light reflected from the patient's eye and detecting an image therefrom, said image capturing system including a display for displaying the detected image for observation during treatment.   
     
     
       45. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 44 wherein said scanning system includes a source of coherent light. 
     
     
       46. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 44 wherein said scanning system includes a source of noncoherent light. 
     
     
       47. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 44 wherein said treatment laser includes an aiming beam and a treatment beam. 
     
     
       48. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 44 wherein said treatment laser system includes at least one optic movable by the physician to vary the position of the treatment laser. 
     
     
       49. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 44 wherein said treatment laser system includes at least one optic movable to vary the size of a spot of the treatment laser. 
     
     
       50. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 44 wherein said image capturing system includes a movable optic for obtaining images at varying depths within the eye. 
     
     
       51. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 44 including a beam splitter disposed in the path between scanning system and the eye and in the path between the image capturing system and the eye to separate a portion of said paths. 
     
     
       52. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 44 wherein said treatment laser system includes a specific reflector for reflecting the treatment laser and passing the illumination light, said specific reflector being positioned in the path of the illumination light from the scanning system to the eye. 
     
     
       53. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 52 wherein said specific reflector is positioned in the path of light reflected from the eye to the image capturing system. 
     
     
       54. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 52 wherein said specific reflector is movable to vary the position of the treatment laser. 
     
     
       55. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye including the fundus comprising: a scanning system for scanning a two dimensional area of illumination directed to the patient's eye to illuminate the interior thereof;   a treatment laser system for directing a treatment laser to a desired position within the interior of the eye; and   an image capturing system for receiving light reflected from the patient's eye and including at least one eyepiece lens through which a clinician looks to view an image of an illuminated area of the interior of the patient's eye.   
     
     
       56. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 55 including a shutter operable to block reflections from the treatment laser to the eyepiece lens. 
     
     
       57. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 55 wherein said scanning system includes a source of coherent light. 
     
     
       58. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 55 wherein said scanning system includes a source of noncoherent light. 
     
     
       59. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 55 wherein said treatment laser includes an aiming beam and a treatment beam. 
     
     
       60. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 55 wherein said treatment laser system includes at least one optic movable by the physician to vary the position of the treatment laser. 
     
     
       61. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 55 wherein said treatment laser system includes at least one optic movable to vary the size of a spot of the treatment laser. 
     
     
       62. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 55 wherein said image capturing system includes a movable optic for obtaining images at varying depths within the eye. 
     
     
       63. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 55 including a pair of eyepiece lenses and an image directing optical system for directing light reflected from the patient's eye to each of said eyepiece lenses. 
     
     
       64. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 63 wherein said optical system includes a rhomboid prism pair. 
     
     
       65. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 55 including a beam splitter disposed in the path between scanning system and the eye and in the path between the image capturing system and the eye to separate a portion of said paths. 
     
     
       66. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 65 wherein said specific reflector is positioned in the path of light reflected from the eye to the image capturing system. 
     
     
       67. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 65 wherein said specific reflector is movable to vary the position of the treatment laser. 
     
     
       68. A system for viewing and treating the interior of the eye as recited in claim 55 wherein said treatment laser system includes a specific reflector for reflecting the treatment laser and passing the illumination light, said specific reflector being positioned in the path of the illumination light from the scanning system to the eye.